Flare up?

[SaraJade]

Every 6/8 weeks I feel like i'm coming down with a cold, it starts in my tummy and then travels around by body with aches, sore throat and sniffy nose, like a cold is there but wont come out.. is this part of a flare up?

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi, everyone's flare ups are different but as it's happening similar symptoms on a regular occasion, then sounds like it may be fibro flares. Mine often start with me losing my voice but not having a sore throat

[SaraJade in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

i sound very croaky.. just get so worried lately because sometimes it feels like the start of flu

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to SaraJade]

Yes, that's often how a flare up can feel

[Lunaloves]

My tummy is usually the first place that starts to be upset during a flare. I either can’t tolerate food (from the smell of it or it makes me bloat etc) or I lose my appetite completely. Then it’s the fatigue - feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. Then I lose my speech or feeling down one side of my body..

from speaking to people on here, it seems to manifest differently for everyone. It’s recognising your ‘signs’ so you can slow down and hopefully lessen the flare x

[SaraJade in reply to Lunaloves]

You are so right.. this is me at the moment.. my body feels so heavy like i just want lie down on the floor.. my appetite has gone as i feel so sicky and my hands are aching.. its like every time the school holidays approach us XX

[Lunaloves in reply to SaraJade]

I teach and I always know that when the school holidays are coming I’m gonna spend the first part/or all of it in bed. Hands aching is ‘normal’ too, I’ve gotten to the point sometimes where it hurts to wear loose clothing. Anything rubbing against my skin hurts. My flares can range from needing to sleep it off for a few days to cannot walk or talk and needing to be carried to the toilet/ showered by my husband. They aren’t nice and if you are ‘new’ to figuring out your flares, they can be scary and disconcerting. My advice would be rest when you can, I find really plain foods help like chicken, rice and plain pasta (I eat gluten free which has helped) , heat - have a bath, hot water bottle and don’t fight it. Give your body the time it needs. Audiobooks are great - listen with your eyes closed and rest.

Here to listen if you need to talk anymore. X

[SaraJade in reply to Lunaloves]

Thank you.

I am finding that the flare ups are getting stronger, I have had it for a few years but i used to ignore them and keep going, as the years went by they got worse to the point where I changed my job so i didn't have so much pressure and it slowed me down so they come and go, think the damp weather has an effect.. honestly typing this now, hurts, I feel like my whole body wants to drop to the fall.. its crazy xx

[Lunaloves]

Yes the weather doesn’t help at all. Big fluctuations in temp massively affect my joints.

I hope you can tuck yourself up in bed. Hot water bottle and Netflix and relax. Sounds like at the moment you need to ride this one out as much as it sucks.

Hugs xx

[SaraJade in reply to Lunaloves]

Thank you lovely xx